Flip-Flops, Do's And Don'ts

Millions of people wear flip flops throughout the summer, but wearing flip flops over an extended period of time can cause long-term orthopedic problems.

According to orthopedic doctors from Mount Sinai School of Medicine, flip-flops provide little to no support for one’s arch or complete coverage for one’s feet.

The little amount of support provides doctors with reason to have concerns about people's health. Doctors believe flip-flops can cause stress in a variety of muscles, and one tends to strain the toes, ankles, legs, hips and the back. A person also may change how he or she walks when wearing flip-flops, forcing his or her toes to grip harder than normal to keep the flimsy shoe in place.

Due to insufficient support, doctors suggest that people do not wear this type of footwear all day, because it can increase risk for nerve problems, arch pain and plantar fasciitis, which is inflammation of the thick tissue on the bottom of the foot that is responsible for connecting the heel bone to the toes and it also creates the arch in one’s foot.

Other concerns that worry doctors when wearing flip flops include broken toes and toe nails, cuts and germs.